first thing to buy

[horsemen]

OK after the soft stuff i was thinking of the computer seeing how rent most stuff will be fine but the computer you would want to know inside and out and renting one and possible getting a different one each time would make like hard sometimes trying to fig it out each time or do you all recommend a different route

 

[kent_1848]

Your reasoning works for me. I think you would definately run into the problems of changing computers. However, if you are getting it air integrated, then you are looking at also buying the regulator, or asking the rental place to put it or a transmitter on their reg every time that you dove. Plus, I like having my own reg so that I don't worry about space herpes.

 

[H2Andy]

well... let me think outloud here.

these are the basic four once you have your initial stuff (mask, fins, weights)

1. bouyancy device
2. reg/octo
3. pressure gage/depthgage/computer
4. exposure protection

if at all possible, i would reccomend that you buy them together, that way you
will be in your own gear, will grow used to it, and thus be safer overall and
have more fun

i would rather rent 3 and 4 and buy 1 and 2 first. but that's because i'm an average-
built Florida diver and don't mind diving without a computer (i.e. exposure protection
is not a big issue for me and a stock wetsuit fits me fine, and i don't mind using
tables)

on the other hand, i would feel too uncomfortable switching BC's and regs,
and getting used to how different regs breathe, and how much and where the
bouyancy is with the various BC's, etc...

i think this is a decision you are going to make based on your priorities and comfort level

 

[mossym]

for cold water though, a good fitting wetsuit or drysuit can be the difference between loving the dive and hating it..Andy's right, if you're diving warm water most wetsuits will keep you warm enough...for 50 water it better fit right or you are going to be damn cold. if you're a stock size, then rent, my girfriend wasn't and we bought her a wetsuit first, it made the world of difference

 

[KidK9]

I would buy a boat. How else do you plan on getting to your dive sites???

 

[mossym]

i agree, and if you're in norcal and lookign for buddies, then i definitely agree!!

 

[el-ninio]

your dive suit is the key contiributer to your boyancy and trim. Each and every time you change a dive-suit you have to learn what is the right amount of weight for it. This typically takes me some 2-3 dives - so if it's a rental by the time you have it sorted out you need to start from scratch with the next rental.
Now, you really don't want to end up underweight on a dive, so most dives will chose to take more "jest to be on the safe side". So you dive with too much weight and this messes up your boiancy (it's much harder to balance well when you dive overweight). And as your boyancy is off, you need more air, enjoy less and dammage the corral. On top of that, you really cant learn to trim - it's hard even when you go into the water with the exact same setup and the exact amount of weights. When you have to change weights jsut about every dive, and when the boiancy is diffrently distributed each time - it's close to imposible. So you dive vertically (usually with your head too high), your drags is increased, as is your air consamption, and once again you endanger the reed around you.

So, if you want to be able to work on your skills as a diver, and to improve your air consamption - go for the dive suit.

 

[MoonWrasse]

I would buy a boat. How else do you plan on getting to your dive sites???

Silly you, a boat's worth nothing unless you buy the lake to put it in first


Computer works for me (after fins, mask, snorkel, wetsuit).
Also I'd suggest knife or some cutting device, safety sausage, light, whistle.

 

[Paco]

What about the safety signaling devices? Whistle? Sausage? Mirror? And what about a sticker for your car. Don't forget about that.

 

[sdstahl]

your reasoning is well founded but i would suggest learning the tables and get the basics first ( reg, wetsuit, BC...). Personally I would go for the wetsuit, i am sure most people pee in the rental ones.
then get the boat.